AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I sink into him, our lips sealing around my promise.
***
I’m exhausted and not in a good way. Exhaustion after being ravaged by Logan is way more fun. No, this is a bone-aching weariness from standing too long while the public gawped and asked for autographs. An entire day on display, while photographers clambered for a shot of my friend Josie and myself. I’m so glad that it wasn’t only me modeling for the campaign and we can spread the load.
Being a model wasn’t what I thought I would end up doing for more than ten years. It was only meant to be part time during the summer before I went to college. But then I was spotted on the catwalk for a new designer during New York Fashion Week and the rest was history.
Paris, Milan, London, and New York. I did it all and am grateful for the opportunities I’ve been given. But I will not miss this when it’s done.
Kicking off my shoes, I flop down onto the sofa. Katie and Logan’s apartment layouts are mirror images of each other. But that’s where the similarity ends. While Logan’s is minimalist, excluding my added personal touches, Katie’s place is brimming with personality. Jewel tones of emerald, sapphire, and ruby give the space an opulent cozy atmosphere. It’s Katie’s princess personality come to life in the rich fabrics, dark walls, and golden finishes. There’s not a single white wall and I absolutely love it. My eyes are drawn to the collection of black-and-white, framed photos above the fireplace. Carefully selected images from the hundreds I’ve taken of some of the most beautiful cities in the world I traveled to. They now tell the story of my two careers coming together.
Curling my feet up underneath me, I wrap a soft throw around my shoulders, wondering if it really is too late to make a booty call to Logan. I texted him when I landed an hour ago and told him I’d see him tomorrow because I was beat. But now I regret the decision because it would have been so nice to snuggle up to him tonight.
My eyes droop, and I tilt my head to sink into the pillowy softness of the backrest. My cell in my hand vibrates. Maybe Logan is still awake. I scroll eagerly to the messages. My hand freezes. The text message is from an unknown number.
You owe me. If you want this to stop. You'll have to pay.
A chill runs up my spine and on shaky legs, I go to the hall table and take out the key Logan insisted I keep to let myself into his apartment at any time.
Any time is now.
Chapter twenty-two
Logan
Slowly coming awake with thoughts of Allie’s naked body encircled by mine has become a reality, because Allie is climbing into my bed.
“Logan, are you awake?” she whimpers and if I wasn’t completely awake before, I am now.
I pull her into my arms. She’s fully clothed even down to her outdoor coat. “What’s happened?” I ask, my eyes opening wider as I try to peer through the darkness to see her expression.
She burrows her face into my bare chest. Her arms clinging to me like a limpet. “I got another text.”
“Show me,” I growl more harshly than I mean, and she jumps. “Sorry,” I say more calmly while I squeeze her closer. Her hand moves down her side and pulls out her cell from a pocket deep in the folds of her coat. I turn on the bedside lamp and reach for my glasses before taking it from her cold fingers.
Propped up on my pillow with Allie tucked safely into my side, I read the message. It sends a chill through my bones, making me feel brittle and raw. This is starting to sound more like extortion rather than a crazy stalker. And I’m not sure what’s worse.
“We can talk to Todd first thing tomorrow to see what he thinks … but to me this seems different,” I say, trying to reassure her as I hand her the phone back. Behind my words though is a real concern that this may be escalating.
She nods slowly, her hair tickling across my bare chest. “I don’t understand, why now? I wasn’t even in the city today ... it just doesn’t make sense.”
“Crazy, doesn’t usually make sense.” I slide back down in the bed to take her fully into my arms, brushing a swathe of glossy chestnut hair back from her face. I can’t let anyone hurt this beautiful woman, she means too much to me.
With my finger, I tip her chin up to look into her eyes, which tonight have darkened to more of a forest green. “Are you okay?” I ask, repeating the same three words I’ve uttered nearly every day since the night I found her shattered and broken in my living room. I don’t know how else to express this feeling of helplessness.
“I guess ... at least I’m not bawling my eyes out this time with very unattractive raccoon eyes.”
I smile gently at her. “I don’t mind your cute raccoon face.” She slaps lightly at my chest, then rolls her eyes.
She does seem to be coping better this time. Although, she is lying in my bed fully clothed with a thick wool coat on.
“Sunshine, do you think you might want to take your coat off now?”
She looks down and I feel her physically slump. “Oh my God. I’m ridiculous.” Her cheeks flush a pretty pink. I do like that with all her worldliness, she’s still retained this ability to blush when I tease her lightheartedly. She moves out of my arms to stand and quickly strips off her coat, then dress, and finally her sexy black lace bra and panties.
My cock already at half-mast now stands proud. She can blush at my teasing words yet standing completely naked before me doesn’t seem to bother her in the slightest. She steals the breath from my body, leaving my oxygen-starved brain with only one thought. To make her mine.
Climbing back under the covers, she says, “Sorry for waking you up but you did say any time …”
